Workforce task force measure passes Senate committee

On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 75. The resoltuion is sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem David Givens and establishes a legislative task force to study workforce development issues in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Workforce Oversight Task Force, which would consist of legislators, would study and develop recommendations concerning the benefits, investments, and funding of workforce education which is estimated at $900 million a year.

Legislators making up the task force would come from the Education, Appropriations and Revenue, and Economic Development committees of both chambers. Both Majority and Minority caucuses would be represented.

Senator Gerald Neal asked if Givens would be open to expanding the membership of the task force beyond legislators. Givens, who introduced a similar measure during the 2015 session, said he believed the voting membership should be limited to legislators so that lawmakers will have ownership of the final product. Givens added he would be open to conversations about adding ex officio members to the task force as the resolution works it’s way through the legislative process.

The Kentucky Workforce Oversight Task Force would submit a report to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2016. A similar measure was passed by the House.